GOG, the Polish-based digital game distribution platform, has launched its Preservation Program to address a serious pain point in retro gaming: the risk of titles becoming unplayable, and lost, due to evolving hardware and operating systems.
CD Projekt-owned GOG, which launched the initiative today (November 13), hopes to keep games playable on modern and future systems with its concept, and has started its proposal with over 100 titles, including System Shock 2, Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition, Diablo + Hellfire, and Blade Runner.
As many older games were built using outdated or proprietary technology, their original creators regularly have zero opportunity to deliver the necessary updates to maintain compatibility. This is where GOG steps in, leveraging its expertise in reviving and updating classic games to ensure they remain accessible for players now and in the future.
Every game that earns the GOG Preservation Program’s literal stamp of approval needs to go through rigorous testing and updates to make sure it meets quality standards, including compatibility improvements, the inclusion of bonus content such as manuals and DLCs, and the potential to deliver ongoing support to fix any technical issues as time rolls on.
Players who buy the games from GOG, under the terms of the program, are guaranteed they’re getting the most complete and polished versions out there, and that labelled titles will be compatible with current and future PC setups. Critically, it will also offer offline installers, letting users preserve their games independently, away from online-only services.
It’s difficult not to get excited by this, especially as GOG has form. This year alone, it restored cult Sega ARPG Alpha Protocol, but most importantly, Capcom trusted it to bring the classic Resident Evil trilogy to PC. Despite launching off the occasionally dodgy GOG Galaxy platform (can someone allow it to have admin rights automatically?), the ports of RE and RE2 were apparently perfect–I can’t speak for RE3, but it’s on my to-do list–and it’s clear that Capcom made an excellent decision. Having such a huge early adopter in GOG’s ranks only makes the initiative so much more appealing to other IP owners, original or not.
Check out the list of games included in GOG’s Preservation Program (I’d’ve called it the Preservation Station, personally). Personal, unmentioned favorites include Theme Hospital, The Curse of Monkey Island, Carmageddon, Earthworm Jim, and Ultima IV.
GOG still has plans for remasters, too. The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 and Croc are slated for updated returns to PC. What a time to be alive, all things considered.
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